Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Echinocereus rigidissimus (Engelmann) Rose var. rigidissimus
(Rainbow Cactus)

Family: Cactaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Cereus pectinatus Engelmann in Gray var. rigidissimus Engelmann
Echinocereus dasyacanthus Engelmann in Wislizenus var. rigidissimus (Engelmann) W.T. Marshall
Echinocereus pectinatus (Schwidweiler) Engelmann var. rigidissimus (Engelmann) Engelmann ex Ruempler

Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rigidissimus is found in the arid lower elevation Peloncillos. It is notable even when not in flower for bright circumferential red bands or stripes. The areoles do not have a central spine.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rigidissimus, photo Russ Kleinman, Mel Moe, Charles Holmes, Leith Young & Richard Felger, Peloncillo Mtns. near Rodeo, March 12, 2010


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